| Systems, methods, and devices for processing audio signals -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Systems, methods, and devices for processing audio signalsRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems And Devices, Electro-acoustic Audio Transducer, Electromagnetic (e.g., Dyynamic), Movable Voice Coil, Multiple Voice CoilsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060034481. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference herein in its entirety, pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/516,928, filed 3 Nov. 2003. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0002] A wide variety of potential embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which: [0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000; [0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an information device 2000; [0005] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 3000; [0006] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 4000; and [0007] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 5000. DEFINITIONS [0008] When the following terms are used herein, the accompanying definitions apply: [0009] across the network--through at least one link coupling nodes comprised by a network. [0010] adapted to--made suitable or fit for a specific use or situation. [0011] apparatus--an appliance or device for a particular purpose [0012] audio--of or relating to humanly audible sound. [0013] audio bandwidth--a range of frequencies defined by its highest and lowest limits and typically audible to a human with substantially normal hearing function. Each limit is typically measured as a frequency (in cycles per second, or hertz). [0014] audio device--an apparatus adapted to convert audible sound to an electrical signal, an audio recording to an electrical signal, an electrical signal to audible sound, and/or an electrical signal to an audio recording, such as an acoustic transducer, microphone, audio player, speaker, telephone, audio recorder, CD player, DVD recorder, etc. [0015] audio signal--an electrical, electromagnetic, and/or optical signal representing audible sound. [0016] bit rate--a ratio of the number of bits that are transferred between devices in a specified amount of time, typically one second. [0017] can--is capable of, in at least some embodiments. [0018] coder/decoder (codec)--a set of instructions, implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or software, that converts digital signals to and from analog according to a given audio file format or streaming audio format. In certain embodiments, an audio codec can utilize a variable or constant bit rate, and/or correspond to any appropriate standard, such as G.711, G.722, G.723.1, G729A, MPEG1 Layer II, MPEG1 Layer III, Dolby A, Dolby AC-2, Dolby Fax, Dolby AC-3, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround Pro-Logic, Dolby Digital EX, THX Surround EX, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, APT-X, 3D2, APT-XE, MPEG-2 AAC, MP3, MP3 Pro, MPEG-4, AAC, DivX, CD Audio, DVD Audio, WAV, WMA, Windows Media Audio, RealAudio, Ogg Vorbis, ATRAC, FLAC, Speex, Shorten, and/or Monkey's Audio Compressor, etc. [0019] communications connection--a channel of communications that is not necessary a direct physical link. [0020] compress--providing and/or storing data in a format that requires less space than usual. [0021] comprising--including but not limited to. [0022] constant bit rate--a bit rate that does not vary with time. [0023] convert--to translate from a digital form to an analog form. [0024] coupleable--capable of being joined, connected, and/or linked together. [0025] customer premises equipment (CPE)--telecommunications equipment that resides on the premises of a telecommunications user who is not a provider of telecommunications services. [0026] data--distinct pieces of information, usually formatted in a special or predetermined way and/or organized to express concepts. [0027] decompress--to restore to uncompressed form; to reverse the effects of data compression. [0028] digitize--to translate from an analog form to a digital form. For example, optical scanners digitize images by translating them into bit maps. It is also possible to digitize audio, video, and/or any type of movement. In all these cases, digitization is performed by sampling at discrete intervals. To digitize audio, for example, a device measures a sound wave's amplitude many times per second. These numeric values can then be recorded digitally. [0029] gateway--a device connected to a network for performing code and/or protocol conversion processes. An entrance and exit into a network. [0030] input/output (I/O) device--the input/output (I/O) device of the information device can be any sensory-oriented input and/or output device, such as an audio, visual, haptic, olfactory, and/or taste-oriented device, including, for example, a monitor, display, projector, overhead display, keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, joystick, gamepad, wheel, touchpad, touch panel, pointing device, microphone, speaker, video camera, camera, scanner, printer, haptic device, vibrator, tactile simulator, and/or tactile pad, potentially including a port to which an I/O device can be attached or connected. [0031] instructions--directions adapted to perform a particular operation or function. [0032] may--is allowed to, in at least some embodiments. [0033] memory--a device capable of storing analog or digital information, for example, a non-volatile memory, volatile memory, Random Access Memory, RAM, Read Only Memory, ROM, flash memory, magnetic media, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical media, an optical disk, a compact disk, a CD, a digital versatile disk, a DVD, and/or a raid array, etc. The memory can be coupled to a processor and can store instructions adapted to be executed by processor according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [0034] negotiate--to confer with one or more other devices in order to determine and/or reach an agreement regarding one or more parameters. [0035] negotiated parameter--a negotiation-determined variable and/or its value. [0036] negotiation-determined--a parameter arrived at via negotiation. [0037] network--a communicatively coupled plurality of nodes. [0038] network interface--any device, system, or subsystem capable of coupling an information device to a network. For example, a network interface can be a telephone, cellular phone, cellular modem, telephone data modem, fax modem, wireless transceiver, ethernet card, cable modem, digital subscriber line interface, bridge, hub, router, or other similar device. [0039] node--a communication device within a network that is coupled to another node within the network via a link. A CPE gateway is not considered a node. [0040] parameter--a variable and/or its value. Examples include a rate, measure, length, protocol, format, etc. [0041] plurality--the state of being plural and/or more than one. [0042] predetermined--established in advance. [0043] processing--v. to put through the steps of a predetermined procedure, such as a procedure for sampling, digitizing, formatting, encoding, compressing, encrypting, transmitting, receiving, decrypting, decompressing, decoding, and/or converting, etc. [0044] processor--a device and/or set of machine-readable instructions for performing one or more predetermined tasks. A processor can comprise any one or a combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software. A processor can utilize mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, magnetic, optical, informational, chemical, and/or biological principles, signals, and/or inputs to perform the task(s). In certain embodiments, a processor can act upon information by manipulating, analyzing, modifying, converting, transmitting the information for use by an executable procedure and/or an information device, and/or routing the information to an output device. A processor can be a central processing unit, a local controller, a remote controller, parallel controllers, and/or distributed controllers, etc. Unless stated otherwise, the processor can be a general-purpose device, such as a microcontroller and/or a microprocessor, such the Pentium IV series of microprocessor manufactured by the Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. In certain embodiments, the processor can be dedicated purpose device, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that has been designed to implement in its hardware and/or firmware at least a part of an embodiment disclosed herein. [0045] provide--to make available; to supply; to prepare. [0046] publicly switched telephone network (PSTN)--the interconnected system of telephone switches and lines used for telecommunication services. [0047] receive--to take or acquire something provided. [0048] sample--to repeatedly measure, such as at discrete time intervals. [0049] substantially--to a great extent or degree. [0050] system--a collection of mechanisms, devices, data, and/or instructions, the collection designed to perform one or more specific functions. [0051] telecommunications--the science and technology of communication at a distance by electronic transmission of impulses. [0052] telephone--an instrument that converts voice and other audio signals into a form that can be transmitted to remote locations and that receives and reconverts information from a transmittable form into voice and other audio signals. [0053] telephony--the art or process of transmitting speech at a distance. [0054] transmit--to send. [0055] user interface--any device for rendering information to a user and/or requesting information from the user. A user interface includes at least one of textual, graphical, audio, video, animation, and/or haptic elements. A textual element can be provided, for example, by a printer, monitor, display, projector, etc. A graphical element can be provided, for example, via a monitor, display, projector, and/or visual indication device, such as a light, flag, beacon, etc. An audio element can be provided, for example, via a speaker, microphone, and/or other sound generating and/or receiving device. A video element or animation element can be provided, for example, via a monitor, display, projector, and/or other visual device. A haptic element can be provided, for example, via a very low frequency speaker, vibrator, tactile stimulator, tactile pad, simulator, keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, joystick, gamepad, wheel, touchpad, touch panel, pointing device, and/or other haptic device, etc. A user interface can include one or more textual elements such as, for example, one or more letters, number, symbols, etc. A user interface can include one or more graphical elements such as, for example, an image, photograph, drawing, icon, window, title bar, panel, sheet, tab, drawer, matrix, table, form, calendar, outline view, frame, dialog box, static text, text box, list, pick list, pop-up list, pull-down list, menu, tool bar, dock, check box, radio button, hyperlink, browser, button, control, palette, preview panel, color wheel, dial, slider, scroll bar, cursor, status bar, stepper, and/or progress indicator, etc. A textual and/or graphical element can be used for selecting, programming, adjusting, changing, specifying, etc. an appearance, background color, background style, border style, border thickness, foreground color, font, font style, font size, alignment, line spacing, indent, maximum data length, validation, query, cursor type, pointer type, autosizing, position, and/or dimension, etc. A user interface can include one or more audio elements such as, for example, a volume control, pitch control, speed control, voice selector, and/or one or more elements for controlling audio play, speed, pause, fast forward, reverse, etc. A user interface can include one or more video elements such as, for example, elements controlling video play, speed, pause, fast forward, reverse, zoom-in, zoom-out, rotate, and/or tilt, etc. A user interface can include one or more animation elements such as, for example, elements controlling animation play, pause, fast forward, reverse, zoom-in, zoom-out, rotate, tilt, color, intensity, speed, frequency, appearance, etc. A user interface can include one or more haptic elements such as, for example, elements utilizing tactile stimulus, force, pressure, vibration, motion, displacement, temperature, etc. [0056] variable bit rate--a bit rate that does vary with time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0057] The sounds produced in human speech contain frequencies that typically lie within the frequency band of approximately 100 Hz to approximately 8,000 Hz. The range of frequencies that can be detected (heard) by the human ear are normally considered to lie within the range of approximately 20 Hz to approximately 20,000 Hz. Yet, in traditional telephony systems, such as Plain Old Telephone Systems (POTS) or systems utilizing G.711, voice input to a telephone microphone is filtered to an approximately 3.1 kHz band, spanning from about 300 Hz to about 3400 Hz, which includes guard bands. Thus, traditional telephony ignores substantial ranges of human-perceptible sound. [0058] The reduction in sound quality over the telephone and/or telephony systems has many potential downsides. For example, in normal telephone conversation, sounds or portions of words spoken can be dropped or lost via the low audio bandwidth (approximately 3.1 kHz) provided by the telephone network. These kinds of disturbances can hinder the enjoyment of the conversation. In many languages, small sound nuances can provide different meanings and reduced sound quality and/or audio bandwidth can reduce the capability of hearing and understanding the speaker. Moreover, when the audio signal is comprised of sounds other than speech, such as music, environmental sounds, etc., the reduction in quality and/or enjoyment caused by relatively low audio bandwidth can be substantial. [0059] In certain novel approaches, an enhanced audio bandwidth can be provided by the sender and/or to the receiver. Prior to the connection of a call, customer premises equipment (CPE), such as a wired, wireless, telephone, IP, and/or ATM network gateway, can negotiate with the network for a rate and/or other parameter associated with digitizing and/or processing sound for end-to-end transmission of the digitized sound via the network and/or for a rate and/or other parameter associated with receiving, converting, and/or processing digitized sound from the network in an end-to-end transmission. [0060] Upon wired and/or wireless coupling of a sound device (such as an acoustic transducer, microphone, audio player, speaker, telephone, audio recorder, CD player, DVD recorder, etc.) to a CPE, the sound device can communicate with the CPE so that a rate and/or other parameter associated with digitizing, transmitting, receiving, and/or processing audio signals can be determined. The communication can take the form of a query by the CPE, a message from the sound device, and/or a negotiation therebetween, etc. The CPE can comprise an integrated gateway and one or more sound devices, such as a telephone. The CPE can be "plug-and-play", so that it can be plugged into the network and be ready for use as an intelligent telephone. [0061] The CPE gateway can utilize an audio codec utilizing a variable or constant bit rate, and/or corresponding to any appropriate standard, such as, for example, G.711, G.722, G.723.1, G729A, MPEG1 Layer II, MPEG1 Layer III, Dolby A, Dolby AC-2, Dolby Fax, Dolby AC-3, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround Pro-Logic, Dolby Digital EX, THX Surround EX, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, APT-X, 3D2, APT-XE, MPEG-2 AAC, MP3, MP3 Pro, MPEG-4, AAC, DivX, CD Audio, DVD Audio, WAV, WMA, Windows Media Audio, RealAudio, Ogg Vorbis, ATRAC, FLAC, Speex, Shorten, and/or Monkey's Audio Compressor, etc. These codecs can utilize, for example 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, and/or 36-bit sampling, at sampling rates ranging from approximately 8 kHz to approximately 100 kHz, including all values and subranges therebetween, such as approximately 8 kHz, approximately 12 kHz and higher, and/or approximately 14 kHz and higher, such as approximately 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, etc. [0062] For audio transmissions that originate as analog audio signals, to assist in reconstructing the original analog audio signal at the receiving end of a transmission, the Nyquist criterion can be used to determine a sampling rate that is at least twice as fast as the highest frequency component in the input signal. [0063] Potentially relevant additional information is presented in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/694,210, filed on Oct. 23, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0064] In certain exemplary and/or novel approaches and/or embodiments, an apparatus is provided that comprises: a CPE gateway coupleable to a network and to an audio device, the CPE gateway adapted to negotiate with the network regarding a parameter associated with processing an audio signal to be transmitted across the network, the transmitted audio signal corresponding to a selected audio bandwidth from a plurality of audio bandwidths, the selected audio bandwidth associated with the parameter, the plurality of audio bandwidths comprising a first audio bandwidth of approximately 3.1 kHz and a second audio bandwidth of at least approximately 6 kHz. [0065] Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method comprising a plurality of activities, comprising: initiating a communications connection between a CPE gateway and a network coupled to the CPE gateway, the CPE gateway coupleable to an audio device; and negotiating between the CPE gateway and the network for a parameter associated with processing an audio signal to be transmitted across the network. In certain exemplary embodiments, the transmitted audio signal can correspond to a selected audio bandwidth from a plurality of audio bandwidths, the selected audio bandwidth associated with the parameter, the plurality of audio bandwidths comprising a first audio bandwidth of approximately 3.1 kHz and a second audio bandwidth of at least approximately 6 kHz. [0066] Certain exemplary embodiments provide an apparatus comprising: an audio device coupleable to a CPE gateway that is coupleable to a network, the audio device adapted to negotiate with the CPE gateway regarding a parameter associated with processing an audio signal to be transmitted across the network. In certain exemplary embodiments, the transmitted audio signal can correspond to a selected audio bandwidth from a plurality of audio bandwidths, the selected audio bandwidth associated with the parameter, the plurality of audio bandwidths comprising a first audio bandwidth of approximately 3.1 kHz and a second audio bandwidth of at least approximately 6 kHz. [0067] Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method comprising a plurality of activities, comprising: initiating a communications connection between an audio device and a CPE gateway coupled to the audio device, the CPE gateway coupleable to a network; and negotiating between the audio device and the CPE gateway for a parameter associated with processing an audio signal to be transmitted across the network. In certain exemplary embodiments, the transmitted audio signal can correspond to a selected audio bandwidth from a plurality of audio bandwidths, the selected audio bandwidth associated with the parameter, the plurality of audio bandwidths comprising a first audio bandwidth of approximately 3.1 kHz and a second audio bandwidth of at least approximately 6 kHz. [0068] Certain exemplary embodiments provide an apparatus comprising: a CPE gateway coupleable to a network and to an audio device, the CPE gateway adapted to negotiate with the audio device regarding a parameter associated with processing an audio signal to be transmitted across the network. In certain exemplary embodiments, the transmitted audio signal can correspond to a negotiated one of a plurality of audio bandwidths, the plurality of audio bandwidths comprising a first audio bandwidth of approximately 3.1 kHz and a second audio bandwidth of at least approximately 6 kHz. Continue reading... Full patent description for Systems, methods, and devices for processing audio signals Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Systems, methods, and devices for processing audio signals patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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